Home remedies for colic in babies: burping, tummy massage, warm potli and soothing holds
Long bouts of inconsolable crying, often in the evening, with a red face and legs pulled up, are hard on babies and parents alike. These home remedies for colic in babies focus on comfort: better burping, a gentle tummy massage, bicycle legs, a warm ajwain potli held near (not on) the tummy, and calming holds.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
What colic is
Colic is usually described as crying for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby, starting around two to three weeks and easing by three to four months. Its exact cause is unclear; swallowed air, an immature gut and overstimulation may play a part.
Indian grandmothers traditionally use a warm ajwain (carom) potli and hing-free gentle massage for a gassy baby; warmth and rhythm are the key.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ajwain (carom seeds) and a clean cotton handkerchief
- A few drops of warm coconut or sesame oil for massage
- A soft baby blanket for swaddling
How to prepare
- Dry-roast the ajwain in a pan for a minute, tie it in the handkerchief and let it cool until just warm; test on your inner wrist for at least 10 seconds.
- Warm the oil between your palms.
How to use
- Burp the baby halfway through and after every feed.
- Between feeds, massage the tummy gently in clockwise circles for 2–3 minutes and do 'bicycle legs' 10 times.
- Hold the just-warm potli against your own palm and rest your palm on the baby's tummy over clothing for a minute or two; also try swaddling, rocking, white noise or holding the baby tummy-down along your forearm.
Helpful habits
- Check the latch or bottle teat flow; gulping air adds to gas.
- Keep the room dim and calm in the evening.
- Take turns with another adult and step away for a few minutes if you feel overwhelmed; it's okay to put the baby safely in the cot.
Precautions
- Never put a hot potli directly on a baby's skin, and do not give ajwain water, gripe water, hing, honey or any herbal drink to babies under 6 months without your paediatrician's advice.
- See a doctor urgently if crying comes with fever (38°C or more in a baby under 3 months), vomiting (especially green), blood in stool, poor feeding, a swollen tummy, weak or high-pitched cry, or unusual drowsiness.
- Never shake a baby.
Frequently asked questions
How can I relieve my baby's colic fast?
- Burping, a gentle tummy massage, bicycle legs and a calm, rocking hold often settle a crying spell. Colic itself fades by around three to four months.
Is ajwain potli safe for newborns?
- A just-warm potli used over clothing, never hot and never directly on the skin, is a common traditional comfort. Always test the temperature first.
Should I give gripe water for colic?
- Ask your paediatrician first. Many gripe waters contain sugar or other ingredients, and babies under six months are usually advised to have only milk.
